RE: catalina27-talk: "pegged" fuel gauge

[The Emmerichs]

The fuel gauge on my '85 had not worked for the 4 years I owned the boat.  It reached the top of my to-do list this season.  Based on some earlier list traffic, I decided to replace the sending unit as it seemed to me it was the most likely source of the problem.   The sending unit is not easy to get to so I removed an arc of fiberglass in the lip over the sending unit.  This lip supports the board that covers the fuel tank.  I used a dremel tool and did not remove anything other than the lip so you cannot see any fiber glass removal as long as the wood cover is in place.  I covered the exposed wood with epoxy.  I think you may be able to remove the sending unit without doing this but removing a little bit of the lip makes it much easier.  I could get a ratchet on 4 of the 5 nuts, had to use a open or box end wrench on the last one.   The sending unit came out very easy.  I bought a generic replacement at NAPA auto parts.  It had an adjustable float arm which I cut to match the unit I took out of the tank.  It came with a gasket, everything went back in very easy and after hooking up the wires, wow!!!!, the gauge works and it tells me I have a tank 1/2 full of diesel.  I'm not sure what I paid for the sending unit, either $18 or $30.   While I had the sending unit out, I borrowed a friends oil pump and pumped fuel out of the lower forward inboard part of the tank which is the lowest part.  I pumped out some really ugly looking diesel, some grit, a #6 sheet metal screw, and the BB chain that was missing from the fuel fill cap.  I took out about 2 gallons.  If I did this again, I would take out more just to make sure I got everything.   Before I haul the boat in the next 2 to 3 weeks, I will very carefully measure the amount of fuel I put back in the tank.  My plan is to try and correlate the fuel gauge reading with the actual amount of fuel used this season.   John Emmerich 5874 Fortitude     -----Original Message----- From: catalina27-talk@memberclicks.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of jeff mourer Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 10:38 AM To: catalina27-talk@memberclicks.com Subject: catalina27-talk: "pegged" fuel gauge the fuel gauge showed 3/4 tank then moved past full to near the bottom of the dial.  it's on a '85 with a universal 18.  does anyone have experience trouble shooting or repairing.   jeff/5743